Sarina Wiegman may not be English, but she made history with England earlier this year when she guided the Lionesses to glory at the Euros, and she did it after less than a year in charge.
The Dutch football coach was appointed manager of the women’s national side back in 2020 and formally took charge in September 2021. She arrived with an exceptional CV, having previously won the European Championship with the Netherlands in 2017.
Not only did she guide the women’s side to their first-ever victory at a major women’s tournament, but it was also the first major honour claimed by an English team in football since the World Cup in 1966. But all England managers should be English, right?
That’s the view held by former international Jamie Carragher. The pundit expressed his views on social media on Tuesday, which has generated widespread discussion amid uncertainty over Gareth Southgate ’s future as manager of the men’s team.
It’s a bizarre change of tune from Carragher, given he was full of praise for Wiegman ahead of the final against Germany back in the summer. He told Sky Sports: “She’s a winner, she’s won this competition before. They’ve got a top coach who belongs at this level and has done this before. That will give the squad great confidence going into the game.”
Wiegman’s stature in the game, tactical intelligence and player management have all been key reasons for the Lionesses’ success. So much so, they’re among the favourites heading into the Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Australia and New Zealand next summer.
The fact she’s been there and done it, having already won the Euros, she knew exactly what it took to get it over the line. Carragher said it himself, she belongs at this level - that’s exactly why England appointed her in the first place.
As the debate rumbles on, some sections of the media have described the notion of appointing a foreign manager to replace Southgate, should he choose to step down, as a ‘form of cheating’. This is because the wealthier nations may benefit from being able to pay the wages of top managers, instead of making the most of the talent they have within their own borders.
However, while likely unintentional and while mainly referencing the men’s set-up at this level, the phrasing of such a suggestion could be used as ammunition to discredit and disregard the success of the Lionesses and the fact they delivered what no other England team had in 56 years. Is their Euros win any less significant because of the nationality of the figure leading them? Absolutely not. Will we be having this conversation if they are able to prevent the USA from winning a third successive World Cup next summer? Probably not.
There is no rule within the game that states national football associations should only appoint their own citizens as managers. While many countries do so to great success, for example France haven’t had a foreign manager since 1978 and have won four major trophies in that time, it’s not something that’s ever been enforced.
It’s common in both the men’s and women’s game to see coaches lead countries other than their own. At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, eight foreign coaches led nations they have little, or no affiliation with. Of those who travelled to Qatar, nine managers were not from the country they were there to represent.
Canada’s manager John Herdman is in fact an Englishman that has coached both their men’s and women’s side, as well as the New Zealand women’s team between 2006 and 2011. Roberto Martinez, who was manager of Belgium for almost six years before he resigned earlier this month following their World Cup exit, is Spanish.
When the 2023 Women’s World Cup gets underway in the summer, provided there are no last-minute managerial changes, two English coaches will be heading to Australia and New Zealand - although neither will be representing the Lionesses. Colin Bell, born in Leicester, is the current head coach of Korea Republic’s national side. Beverly Priestman, from County Durham and the previous England U17 coach, guided Canada to Olympic glory in 2020 and will hope for similar success at the World Cup.
Where do you draw the line if the manager of England ‘has to be English’? Aside from the coach at the very top, the backroom staff often consists of a team made up of multiple nationalities. England’s goalkeeper coach Martyn Margetson is Welsh and their head of performance Bryce Cavanagh is Australian - is that still cheating?
While it’s a fair debate and everyone will have their own opinions on who they would like to see manage their national team, it cannot be described as a ‘form of cheating’ when no rules have been broken.
While the ideal scenario would be to see Southgate persevere with the job he’s done so far, should he decide to take a step back, the search for his successor doesn’t necessarily need to stop at English coaches. It should simply be a case of appointing the best person for the job, and someone who is the right fit, whoever that may be.
Little was said about Wiegman’s nationality when she lifted the Euro trophy with England at Wembley on July 31. Her ability to get all the big calls right, her in-game decision-making and her wealth of experience allowed the Lionesses to deliver on the biggest stage and THAT is what mattered.
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